The National Air and Space Museum commemorates the history of flight and educates and inspires people through its collections, exhibitions, research, and programs related to aviation, space flight, and planetary studies.

Gyrodyne QH-50C Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter (DASH)

The QH-50 D.A.S.H. was the first drone helicopter to enter operational service, the first rotorcraft deployed with nuclear armament, and one of the first armed unmanned aerial vehicles. The introduction of Soviet nuclear-powered submarines in the early 1960s created an immediate demand for a remotely piloted helicopter that could operate from smaller, older destroyers and could carry a Mark 57 nuclear depth bomb (like the training model seen here) or two torpedoes.

Most QH-50 deployments consisted of anti-submarine patrols with torpedoes, but a number of the craft were used during the Vietnam War primarily for spotting naval gunfire. A few were adapted to carry gun and rocket systems. Gyrodyne built 758 D.A.S.H. airframes, most of which went to the U.S. Navy. Japan also operated a few.

The QH-50 D.A.S.H. was the first drone helicopter to enter operational service, the first rotorcraft deployed with nuclear armament, and one of the first armed unmanned aerial vehicles. The introduction of Soviet nuclear-powered submarines in the early 1960s created an immediate demand for a remotely piloted helicopter that could operate from smaller, older destroyers and could carry a Mark 57 nuclear depth bomb (like the training model seen here) or two torpedoes.

Most QH-50 deployments consisted of anti-submarine patrols with torpedoes, but a number of the craft were used during the Vietnam War primarily for spotting naval gunfire. A few were adapted to carry gun and rocket systems. Gyrodyne built 758 D.A.S.H. airframes, most of which went to the U.S. Navy. Japan also operated a few.

The QH-50 D.A.S.H. was the first drone helicopter to enter operational service, the first rotorcraft deployed with nuclear armament, and one of the first armed unmanned aerial vehicles. The introduction of Soviet nuclear-powered submarines in the early 1960s created an immediate demand for a remotely piloted helicopter that could operate from smaller, older destroyers and could carry a Mark 57 nuclear depth bomb (like the training model seen here) or two torpedoes.

Most QH-50 deployments consisted of anti-submarine patrols with torpedoes, but a number of the craft were used during the Vietnam War primarily for spotting naval gunfire. A few were adapted to carry gun and rocket systems. Gyrodyne built 758 D.A.S.H. airframes, most of which went to the U.S. Navy. Japan also operated a few.

The QH-50 D.A.S.H. was the first drone helicopter to enter operational service, the first rotorcraft deployed with nuclear armament, and one of the first armed unmanned aerial vehicles. The introduction of Soviet nuclear-powered submarines in the early 1960s created an immediate demand for a remotely piloted helicopter that could operate from smaller, older destroyers and could carry a Mark 57 nuclear depth bomb (like the training model seen here) or two torpedoes.

Most QH-50 deployments consisted of anti-submarine patrols with torpedoes, but a number of the craft were used during the Vietnam War primarily for spotting naval gunfire. A few were adapted to carry gun and rocket systems. Gyrodyne built 758 D.A.S.H. airframes, most of which went to the U.S. Navy. Japan also operated a few.